New Engine, New Direction

Reworked styling, a fresh interior, and one cylinder axed. We seek to find out how the new combination works for the latest iteration of the Maruti Suzuki Swift

- Joshua Varghese

IT WAS IN MAY 2005 THAT THE MARUTI SUZUKI Swift was first launched in India. Nearly 20 years later, we were in Bengaluru to experience the fourth generation of this popular hatchback.

In a setting with low light, it is quite difficult to tell the new car from the third-generation one because the silhouette is largely the same. In brighter conditions, however, it is easy to distinguish them. The latest Swift sports a re-worked front end that has tastefully lost the chrome strip across the grille, gained new headlights and tail-lights, and also a fresh bonnet line. My favourite in this makeover are the 15-inch dual-tone wheels. They look the part and fill the wheel-arches nicely.

In comparison to the exterior, the cabin has been significantly reworked. Nevertheless, a sense of familiarity prevails, which is difficult to explain because it looks nothing like the car it replaces. The circular a-c vents have been replaced with sleeker shapes and the dashboard itself looks more integrated somehow. Top-spec models also get the nine-inch touchscreen which is among the new attractions in this Swift. It supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and, in case you are wondering, there is a wireless smartphone charger too. Rear-seat occupants will be pleased to learn that there are a-c vents and smartphone chargers for them too. Since changes in the cabin dimensions are minimal, this Swift continues to offer a fairly generous boot space, one that can adequately meet the luggage demands of a small family.